Grim details have emerged in the death of a baby boy who died after his mom gave birth in a toilet then disposed of the body.
Kimberly Aponte, now 23, was 19 years old when she delivered the newborn in the bathroom of her family’s home in Hackensack on August 22, 2020, according to a probable cause affidavit.
She then left the baby in the toilet for several hours while she ‘cleaned up’ the bathroom.
‘Aponte observed its arms, hands and legs move,’ the affidavit states. ‘She left the baby in the toilet for hours as she cleaned the bathroom.’
About 8am the next morning, Aponte believed the baby was no longer alive and wrapped the body in plastic and a towel, ‘with the intention of eventually burying it behind the apartment complex.’
‘Ultimately, she placed the wrapped body in a hamper in the apartment,’ the affidavit states.
Around 1:08 pm on August 23, 2020, Aponte’s father discovered the baby in a purple towel inside the hamper and called 911 to report that his daughter had given birth overnight, NJ.com reported.
When Hackensack police arrived at the apartment, they found the baby’s lifeless body on the kitchen peninsula, according to the affidavit obtained by the Bergen Record.
Aponte was found in her bedroom with a small amount of blood next to her and was taken by ambulance to Hackensack University Medical Center.
About 7:45 pm, police took a statement from the then-teen in which she said she knew she was pregnant and due to give birth in late August or early September.
But, Aponte did not tell anyone about her pregnancy, except for her boyfriend, and did not seek prenatal care, the affidavit states.
Aponte was charged with one count of second-degree aggravated manslaughter.
Aponte’s ‘reckless neglect and failure to provide appropriate care resulted in the baby’s death,’ the affidavit states.
An autopsy conducted by the Bergen County Medical Examiner’s office determined the ‘baby boy was full-term, born alive, well-nourished, well-developed and well-hydrated.’
‘The medical examiner determined that the baby was fully capable of living,’ a detective said in the affidavit.
Assistant Prosecutor Brandy Malfitano said the state is recommending a maximum of four years in a New Jersey prison as part of Aponte’s plea deal, according to the Bergen Record.
Aponte is set to surrender into state custody on April 11.